“It’s enchanting that in a place like Mumbai, there is a festival like Khidkiyaan, which supplies us an opportunity to participate with theatre. As far as I am concerned, theatre is very deeply connected to the work that I do in cinema,” Ali said in a statement.

Bahl said Khidkiyaan is “fabulous, beautifully organised and it’s a great initiative”.

The five-day fest, which commenced on Wednesday, will be held annually and is being organised by the Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company.

Day one of the non-ticketed festival began on a high note with soulful music performance by lyricist-singer Swanand Kirkire and singer Jasleen Royal.

Actress Tisca Chopra served as the host of the evening and invited the ‘guests of honour Ali and Bahl to inaugurate the festival by lighting lamps.

“Very high energy, high voltage atmosphere. A great revival of Hindi theatre in Mumbai, certainly bringing focus back on this art form,” Tisca said.

She also introduced Mukesh Chhabra’s father T.C. Chopra, who has produced the plays.

The event concluded with Lohri celebrations where everyone, including Mukesh, Ali, Bahl and Tisca, was seen dancing to dhol beats and Punjabi numbers.

Thanking Bollywood guests for extending their support to Khidkiyaan and his team for organising the theatre festival, Mukesh said: “I am overwhelmed with the fabulous response Khidkiyaan has got from everyone.”